INVESTIGATIVE STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR USE IN AKWA IBOM STATE

ABSTRACT This Study delves into the diverserealms of construction materials exploring variousoptions.Through the comprehensive investigation, it examines the intricatebalance between structuralefficiency, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. The research underscores the dynamic nature of the construction industry where advancement in materials science is pivotal. Insights gained from the study contribute to inform decision making, promoting the integration of cutting-edge materials to meet evolving demand of modern construction practices. The investigation into construction materials reveals a complex landscape of diverse options, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. While comparing the quality of sandcrete blocks, blocks produced in some cities had very low compressive strengths due to the high rate of demand for blocks, low compaction, cost e.t.c. Also, the fine aggregates in the some locations were obtained directly from the rivers around them hence the high moisture content in them. While the others imports their aggregate or makes use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste. Furthermore, some cities uses smaller size of coarse aggregates due to high cost of purchasing the bigger sizes of coarse aggregates. For the various cements types, it was noticed that all the cement samples that was tested met the requirements in setting time (initial and final), consistency and specific gravity. The steel that was tested, it was observed that the tensile strength is reduced as compared to standard.